Page 15 of Hex and Scales

“Right.” Clover gestured at the street’s worth of blooming flora. “Because your essence always transforms entire gardens when you’re ‘excited.’ Face it, honey—your inner cat knows exactly what she wants.”

Who, her feline nature corrected silently.Whowe want.

Movement caught her attention. Ren conferred with Eiji, the sun catching blue highlights in his dark hair. His discarded jacket revealed how his white shirt clung to powerful muscles. As if sensing her gaze, he glanced over his shoulder, catching her in her appreciation.

Her cheeks flamed, but she couldn’t look away. For a heartbeat, his careful mask slipped. Raw hunger blazed in those golden eyes, mingled with something deeper that stole her breath. Then Eiji spoke, drawing him back to their discussion.

“Oh yeah,” Ylan drawled, appearing beside Sabine. “That was definitely just ‘excitement.’ Nothing mate-bondy about that look at all.”

“Is there nobody else you can go make miserable?”

“Please.” Romi grinned. “This is better than any romance novel.”

“We’re not—it’s not like that,” Sabine insisted. “We’re investigating magical disturbances. That’s all.”

“Mm-hmm.” Clover nodded solemnly. “And I’m sure you make roses bloom for all your investigation partners.”

Before she could retort, Ren approached their group. Her pulse quickened traitorously. He’d rolled his sleeves while working, revealing corded forearms that deserved their own warning label.

“We should discuss increased security measures,” he said, his voice sending shivers down her spine. “Perhaps over dinner?”

Her mind went blank. Behind her, someone—probably Romi—made a strangled sound of delight.

“Dinner?” she managed.

“To review the evidence properly.” Was that uncertainty flickering in his eyes? “Tonight, if you’re free. My cabin has extensive records we should examine.”

“Yes!” Clover jumped in before Sabine found her voice. “She’s absolutely free. Completely unencumbered. Wide open for anything.”

“Anything,” Romi winked.

“I can speak for myself,” Sabine muttered, though her protest lacked conviction. Especially when that ghosted smile played at his lips.

“Seven o’clock?” he asked softly.

She nodded, words failing. Their gazes locked, the air between them charged with possibility. Her mark tingled as golden sparks danced in his eyes.

“Perfect.” He shrugged on his jacket with fluid grace. “I’ll send a car. The mountain roads can be... challenging after dark.”

He vanished around the corner before she could respond. The moment he disappeared, her friends erupted.

“Girl!” Romi squealed. “A dinner invitation!” Clover hugged her. “At his cabin!” Romi joined the embrace. “Alone!” They chorused.

“To ‘review evidence,’“ Ylan added air quotes, having rushed back out. “So now we’re just going to pretend you’re both not totally hot for each other?”

“Stop it.” Sabine pressed cool fingers to her heated cheeks. “It’s not like that. He just wants to?—”

“Get you alone in his lair?” Romi suggested helpfully.

“Show you his extensive... records?” Clover wiggled her eyebrows.

“You all suck as friends,” Sabine declared, unable to suppress her smile as one final rosebud unfurled in the morning light.

Maybe her feline nature had the right idea. Maybe resisting this pull between them was futile. Because one truth grew clearer with each encounter: whether it was mating instinct or something deeper, Ren had awakened something wild and wonderful inside her.

Now she just had to figure out how to breach his carefully constructed walls before he pushed her away completely. But first... she definitely needed to change clothes before dinner.

TWELVE

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